Tecos rebound from playoff elimination with win

A day after the Tecolotes Dos Laredos saw their playoff chances vanish, they evened up their series against Saraperos de Saltillo to potentially end the season on a high note.

With the loss Tuesday, the Tecos fell three-and-a-half games back of the three-game threshold required to create a wild card game with two contests remaining this season. And even though they were eliminated from postseason contention, the Tecolotes didn’t quit as they defeated Saltillo 5-2 Wednesday.

The Tecos (60-59) earned the victory after a strong performance as they totaled 14 hits. They had four batters record multiple hit and nine out of the 10 players who had an at-bat totaled a hit.

Roberto Valenzuela led the Tecolotes at the plate as he went 3-for-4 with two runs. Roberto Lopez also had a strong outing as he finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Domonic Brown (2-4) and Rudy Flores (2-2, R) were the other two Tecos with multiple hits.

The Tecolotes jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Jose Martinez hit an RBI double to bring home Flores in the second inning. However, the Saraperos responded with a run of their own in the third to tie the game at one apiece. But that was the closest Saltillo (65-53) was to overtaking the Tecos.

Roman Mendez earned his league-leading 32nd save Wednesday as the Tecolotes won 5-2 on the road over the Saraperos.

Roman Mendez earned his league-leading 32nd save Wednesday as the Tecolotes won 5-2 on the road over the Saraperos.

Photo: Courtesy Of The Tecolotes Dos Laredos / File

Photo: Courtesy Of The Tecolotes Dos Laredos / File

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Roman Mendez earned his league-leading 32nd save Wednesday as the Tecolotes won 5-2 on the road over the Saraperos.

Roman Mendez earned his league-leading 32nd save Wednesday as the Tecolotes won 5-2 on the road over the Saraperos.

Photo: Courtesy Of The Tecolotes Dos Laredos / File

Tecos rebound from playoff elimination with win

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Later in the fifth inning, Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Misael German. Then a few batters later, Balbino Fuenmayor also hit a sac fly to help Valenzuela cross home plate to give the Tecolotes a 3-1 lead.

The Saraperos did mount a small comeback in the eighth inning as they cut the Tecos’ lead to 3-2. However, the Tecolotes added two insurance runs thanks to a two-run RBI single by Lopez in the ninth.

Henry Omana got the win on the mound for the Tecos. He lasted five innings allowing one run on four hits while striking out three. The victory was Omana’s first of the season. Roman Mendez got his league-leading 32nd save of the year as he pitched one inning allowing just one hit while striking out two.

The Tecos aim to end the season with a series win — and a winning record — at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Edwin Salas (3-1, 5.55 ERA) is expected to start on the mound for the Tecolotes in their season finale.